First time at WDW- what do you think of this?

[Laumau]

My family and I are going to WDW for the first time ever (for any of us) in Jan. 2009. We are a family of six with kids ranging in age from 4 to 12. I have the Unofficial Guide, 2007 and have come up with an itinerary for parks, ADR's and such. My day for making them is July 5. We're staying at Wilderness Lodge.

Here is what I've come up with so far:

Jan. 1- Arrive, Dinner Chef Mickey's, short evening in MK
Jan. 2- Animal Kingdom, early dinner at Boma, shopping Downtown Dis
Jan. 3- Epcot, dinner at Askerhus Princess Storybook
Jan. 4- Epcot, BREAK, MGM, dinner at Hollywood & Vine w/Fantasmic package
Jan. 5- Magic Kingdom, dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
Jan. 6- Magic Kingdom, back to WL for Kids dinner at Cub's Den, parents out to Artist Point
Jan. 7- MGM half day, leave

My concern is that it will be too much- too tiring for the younger kids to be at the parks all day. On Day 4, I was thinking we could take a break in the middle of the day.

How does this itinerary strike you so far?

 

[septbaby]

My family and I are going to WDW for the first time ever (for any of us) in Jan. 2009. We are a family of six with kids ranging in age from 4 to 12. I have the Unofficial Guide, 2007 and have come up with an itinerary for parks, ADR's and such. My day for making them is July 5. We're staying at Wilderness Lodge.

Here is what I've come up with so far:

Jan. 1- Arrive, Dinner Chef Mickey's, short evening in MK
Jan. 2- Animal Kingdom, early dinner at Boma, shopping Downtown Dis
Jan. 3- Epcot, dinner at Askerhus Princess Storybook
Jan. 4- Epcot, BREAK, MGM, dinner at Hollywood & Vine w/Fantasmic package
Jan. 5- Magic Kingdom, dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
Jan. 6- Magic Kingdom, back to WL for Kids dinner at Cub's Den, parents out to Artist Point
Jan. 7- MGM half day, leave

My concern is that it will be too much- too tiring for the younger kids to be at the parks all day. On Day 4, I was thinking we could take a break in the middle of the day.

How does this itinerary strike you so far?

You've done a great job. I would skip Epcot on Day 4 other than maybe you or hubby taking the older child for some special riding (Test Track, Soarin, etc.). Your are staying at WL, enjoy the pool. Your dinner at DHS will be early, before 5pm. I'd plan to arrive at DHS sometime late AM or early PM to catch HS Musical, charcters some shows and the new parade before dinner. We found the characters were gone by the time we finished dinner at H&V, so definitely catch them sooner rather than later.

 

[Lady V]

I agree...skip the second time at EPCOT and sleep in..regroup and swim.(it is a great pool!!)..then the second half of your trip will be just as magical and energetic as the first half!

oh yea-----have fun!!!

 

[Quacktatty]

Be prepared for it to be super busy on your first day! The crowds will drop off significantly after that. Epcot handles crowds a lot better than MK does. If you find MK to be too overwhelming, head to Epcot!

You won't really need two days in a row at Epcot. Consider spending the whole day at Hollywood Studios - and keep you mid-day break. And reconsider the Fantasmic Dinner package. It's not really worth it. The seats aren't that great and the meal time is SO early.

I'd also suggest leaving your final day to do the things that you didn't get enough of, rather than just going to Hollywood Studios.

 

[Laumau]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I'll take them all into consideration. I think the sleep in on the 4th, instead of Epcot is a good idea. I had originally left the last day in, but then after reading more about the Studios, thought we might need more time there, but I'll re-reconsider that too.

 

[septbaby]

You won't really need two days in a row at Epcot. Consider spending the whole day at Hollywood Studios - and keep you mid-day break. And reconsider the Fantasmic Dinner package. It's not really worth it. The seats aren't that great and the meal time is SO early.

I'd also suggest leaving your final day to do the things that you didn't get enough of, rather than just going to Hollywood Studios.

I disagree with this. This is a first trip to WDW and the OP has 4 kids of a wide age range, no need to stand in line that long. H&V is fine and will have enough variety to make everyone happy. The meal time is early, but the family can plan for that so it shouldn't be an issue. They can grab snacks (popcorn, etc.) for during the show or after if the gang is hungry again. The seats are good, there are "better" seats available, but you'd have to wait in line and find 6 together, keep your sure thing for a first time. Once you can see for yourself then you can decide to skip or book again next time. I'm really glad we did this for our first Fantasmic experience. I won't do it next trip because: we only have 3 park days and we've done Fantasmic, so if we skip it this time, no big deal.

 

[Laumau]

I disagree with this. This is a first trip to WDW and the OP has 4 kids of a wide age range, no need to stand in line that long. H&V is fine and will have enough variety to make everyone happy. The meal time is early, but the family can plan for that so it shouldn't be an issue. They can grab snacks (popcorn, etc.) for during the show or after if the gang is hungry again. The seats are good, there are "better" seats available, but you'd have to wait in line and find 6 together, keep your sure thing for a first time. Once you can see for yourself then you can decide to skip or book again next time. I'm really glad we did this for our first Fantasmic experience. I won't do it next trip because: we only have 3 park days and we've done Fantasmic, so if we skip it this time, no big deal.

Hey thanks. My neighbor did it with her family last Sept. She has young boys and they got the package somehow without even realizing it after having dinner at H&V. She said it was good. I didn't want to have to try to get a seat and wait forever for it. We are very used to eating early so hopefully it won't be a problem for us.

Thanks everyone- you all are so helpful- I really appreciate it!

 

[B-Ride]

I think both your plan and some of the suggestions about taking it easier near the end are good. The thing to remember is that you can always change things up as you go.

If you are tired, sleep in and skip the second day at Epcot. If everyone had a great time and are feeling up to it then go for it.

As for the Fantasmic dinner package, the seats aren't the best but remember you don't have to use them. If you arrive there and there is seating available in the regular section then take it. Otherwise, you have your reserved seating to fall back on.

Above all, enjoy yourselves.

 

[Pumbaa_]

What time are you arriving? MK may not be a great idea, MK tends to be THE busiest on holidays.

 

[KatMark]

Sounds great for a first-timer. The only thing I didn't like of your choices was H&V at the Studios. After three visits, and the last two being absolutely horrible as far as food and service, we won't go back. The rest of it sounds terrific.

 

[EastonCat]

Jan. 4- Epcot, BREAK, MGM, dinner at Hollywood & Vine w/Fantasmic package

On Day 4, I was thinking we could take a break in the middle of the day.

How does this itinerary strike you so far?

I think the itinerary looks great, although be prepared to take a breather as needed by your family. Also, be realistic about how much you'll be able to do in the Magic Kingdom your first night. It'll be crowded.

I think you can enjoy Day 4 (EPCOT/MGM) as planned and fit in a break as well. You can take the friendship boat from EPCOT to any resort on Crescent Lake (Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin) for lunch and a little rest. You can then take the friendship boat to MGM for the balance of your day. This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a day at Disney.

Have a great trip!

 

[Angel1]

My family and I are going to WDW for the first time ever (for any of us) in Jan. 2009. We are a family of six with kids ranging in age from 4 to 12. I have the Unofficial Guide, 2007 and have come up with an itinerary for parks, ADR's and such. My day for making them is July 5. We're staying at Wilderness Lodge.

Here is what I've come up with so far:

Jan. 1- Arrive, Dinner Chef Mickey's, short evening in MK
Jan. 2- Animal Kingdom, early dinner at Boma, shopping Downtown Dis
Jan. 3- Epcot, dinner at Askerhus Princess Storybook
Jan. 4- Epcot, BREAK, MGM, dinner at Hollywood & Vine w/Fantasmic package
Jan. 5- Magic Kingdom, dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
Jan. 6- Magic Kingdom, back to WL for Kids dinner at Cub's Den, parents out to Artist Point
Jan. 7- MGM half day, leave

My concern is that it will be too much- too tiring for the younger kids to be at the parks all day. On Day 4, I was thinking we could take a break in the middle of the day.

How does this itinerary strike you so far?

Our family has a different approach to the parks. I'm not sure if you itinerary relfects it, but I would plan on using extra magic hours. Even if the parks as a whole are more crowded during those days, you still get in a lot of rides in the early and late hours.

Our family never does a whole day in one park. We find it too monotonous. We head one place in the a.m... back the room midday to rest and swim (if it's warm enough -- often it is not in January), then out someplace else at night!

 

[Laumau]

What time are you arriving? MK may not be a great idea, MK tends to be THE busiest on holidays.

The reason I picked MK that first night was because we can take the boat right from our resort and see Mickey and such right off the bat. I think that we'd probably just take the "walk around and see it" approach that first night. If something is open and doesn't have much of a line, then we'd go ahead and do it. But we won't stay out late. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Laumau]

Sounds great for a first-timer. The only thing I didn't like of your choices was H&V at the Studios. After three visits, and the last two being absolutely horrible as far as food and service, we won't go back. The rest of it sounds terrific.

Mama Melrose's actually appeals to me more and offers the package as well. According to the guide book, it's more expensive. Maybe it's worth it?

 

[septbaby]

Given your meal plan you should probably plan on getting the Disney Dining Plan. Generally if you plan to eat a TS meal daily or nearly daily it saves money. Choosing that would make the price of H&V vs MM a moot point, go where you want to go, order what you want to order.